Dog bites off portion of toddler's face in Carlsbad

A 3-year-old boy lost part of his face last week after he was reportedly attacked by a pit bull. Police say the dog was not up to date on its shots and will be euthanized.

A police report states the boy wandered outside, where he encountered the growling dog, described in the report to be a brown brindle and white male pit bull. An adult inside the house, a friend of the child's mother, reportedly grabbed him by the hand and was taking him inside when the pit bull reportedly charged at them and lunged at the toddler, according to the police report.

The encounter left the child with lacerations to the left of his eye and a missing chunk of his left cheek.

Animal Control Officer Isaac Florez wrote in the report that he was able to see the child's inner jaw and facial muscles where the dog had bitten him.
The boy was taken to Carlsbad Medical Center for treatment, where Dr. Patrick Connor advised the family to see a pediatric plastic surgeon. He said, according to the report, he believed the child had possibly suffered facial nerve damage. The child's family did not wish to comment on the incident.

The pit bull's owner, who said he had had him since he was a puppy, said his dog "Buddy" had never acted out before. He was reportedly very surprised at what had happened and told police he did not want the dog back.

According to the report, the animal has been quarantined since the incident on July 10.

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The owner reportedly said the dog had never been vaccinated for rabies.

The dog is scheduled to be euthanized Thursday at Noah's Ark Animal Shelter. Police say no criminal charges were filed.